Golden Globe Musings: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama

Golden Globe nominations for this year will be announced in just a few weeks, so here’s a survey of the contenders and the most likely predictions at this time. Weigh in with your thoughts, and let me know if I’ve left off anything important. A reminder that the Globes are wildly unpredictable and that it is still a bit early to gauge the reception or awards potential of a number of the so-called “contenders” at this point.

Last year’s nominees:
Timothée Chalamet (Call Me By Your Name)
Daniel Day-Lewis (Phantom Thread)
Tom Hanks (The Post)
Gary Oldman (Darkest Hour)
Denzel Washington (Roman J. Israel, Esq.)

The two frontrunners in this race were actually expected to compete in the comedy/musical race instead, but their placement here shouldn’t hurt their chances at all. Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born) is sure to have his film, which he directed, nominated in many categories, while Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) may be representing his all alone. Early buzz for Ethan Hawke (First Reformed) was strong, so he could easily be recognized, and he’s been collecting precursor nominations. Though Clint Eastwood (The Mule) has twice been nominated for an acting Oscar, he’s never received a Globe bid in this category, so don’t expect him to show up even if he makes the cut come Oscar time. Conversely, even if he doesn’t make it all the way to the Oscars, Ryan Gosling (First Man) is a relatively safe bet here. John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman) could figure into this race, as could Lucas Hedges (Boy Erased), Steve Carell (Beautiful Boy), Hugh Jackman (The Front Runner), and Willem Dafoe (At Eternity’s Gate) if their films are enthusiastically received by Globe voters. Chadwick Boseman (Black Panther) has an outside shot if voters really love his film.

Current predictions:
Bradley Cooper (A Star is Born)
Ryan Gosling (First Man)
Lucas Hedges (Boy Erased)
Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
John David Washington (BlacKkKlansman)